Three new temple presidents and matrons, and the assignment of another, have been announced by the First Presidency.
Elder Stephen B. Oveson of the Seventy, whose calling as a temple president was announced in the Church News last week, has been assigned to preside over the new Newport Beach California Temple, which will be dedicated Aug. 28, 2005.
Elder Wayne M. Hancock, 73, formerly of the Second Quorum of the Seventy, of Spanish Hill Ward, Las Vegas Nevada Lakes Stake, called to the Bern Switzerland Temple, succeeding President Roland R. Dtwyler. Elder Hancock's wife, Connie Ann Cameron Hancock, will serve as temple matron.
Elder Hancock, a temple worker and regional welfare agent, served from 1997-2001 in the Second Quorum of the Seventy, is a former Utah Provo Mission president, stake president and counselor, temple sealer, and bishop. He is a retired vice president and general counsel for Dow Chemical Co. He was born in Safford, Ariz., to Wayne M.P. and Phyllis Lines Hancock.
Sister Hancock, a temple preparation class teacher with her husband, is a former ward Relief Society and Primary president and counselor and Cub Scout Den Mother. She was born in St. Anthony, Idaho, to Edward Glen and Christine Hansen Cameron.
"Sua" Suau'upaia Pe'a, 62, of the North Point 2nd Ward, Salt Lake Rose Park North Stake, called as president of the rebuilt Apia Samoa Temple, which will be dedicated Sept. 4, 2005. President Pe'a's wife, Talaloa Mulitalo Pe'a, will serve as temple matron. President Pe'a is a ward missionary and temple worker and former president of the Apia Samoa Mission, stake president's counselor, high councilor and bishop. A manager of Church Interpretation Services, he was born in Vaiola, Savaii, Western Samoa, to Kalosi Tuitufu and Paupau Matuanto Pe'a.
Sister Pe'a, a Relief Society president's counselor, is a former ward music director, Primary and Relief Society music leader and Primary teacher. She was born in Salua Fata, Upolu, Western Samoa, to Paovale and Toalima Roberts Mulitalo.
Robert M. Wilkes, 65, of the LaBelle 3rd Ward, Rigby Idaho East Stake, called as president of the Billings Montana Temple, succeeding President David W. Pennington. President Wilkes' wife, Estella Woodruff Wilkes, will serve as temple matron. President Wilkes is a former president of the Wisconsin Milwaukee Mission, regional representative, stake president and counselor, and bishop. He is a retired vice-president of student life at BYU-Idaho. He was born at Afton, Wyo., to Murray M. and Lucy B. Wilkes.
Sister Wilkes is a former stake and ward Relief Society president's counselor, ward Young Women president's counselor, and Primary teacher. She was born in Holladay, Utah, to Manford E. and Norma P. Woodruff.
